A while back I had reviewed Regency Kitchen, a little take-out Indian eatery at a gas station that surprisingly served up really good ethnic eats. Given how close it is to my workplace, it quickly became a regular part of my lunch rotation. Fast-forward to 2014 and looks like a lot of other people agreed with me because that little gas station Indian cafe has moved up in the world to MacGregor Village as Cilantro Indian Cafe! Losing their great Indian food for two months while they moved had me craving it even more so you can bet we were ready to eat right after they opened on February 28!

Interior at Cilantro Indian in Cary, NC Triangle Dining

Cilantro Indian Cafe is located in a quiet spot of MacGregor Village on the left-hand side of the plaza. At the entrance you’ll find a bright green archway leading to their order counter. First thing you’ll notice is that the place is B-I-G, big! Large open tiled space, four tops around the edge and even a second floor for increased capacity. But even with all this space, Cilantro is still an order at the counter, casual spot. Prices on the menu seem mostly the same at about $9 per entree and I go with my usual tandoori wings with Moroccan hummus. Grab a number, grab a drink and then grab a table. The food here does take some time but at least you know it’s fresh. The owner (Mustafa) says they are working on ways to improve service speed which will be important given the number of tables they have.

Tandoori wings at Cilantro Indian in Cary, NC Triangle Dining

Our food arrives on a silver platter in white, modern ceramic dishes. Everyone’s food looks great! We’ve got a saag paneer, and chicken tikka masala along with my meal at the table. I’ve got five wings, a serving of the hummus, basmati rice, four squares of naan and a cold salad starter (cucumber, chickpeas, red onion, basil, cilantro) which I think is chana chaat salad. The starter is excellent bursting with citrus, herbs and flavor, wonderful stuff. The tandoori wings are coated in a thick, red spicy rub and as delicious as I remember it. Paired with the spicy Moroccan hummus (like chickpea tikka masala), I get to sniffling but it’s all good. Cilantro has always been on the higher side with their spicing and heat so if you’re sensitive to spiciness be careful.

All I can say is that I’m glad to have Cilantro Indian Cafe back in business and feeding the Cary area their spicy deliciousness! I need to explore the menu some more but I think their food can compare with the better known Indian restaurants in the area but in a different way. Cilantro reminds me more of the hole-in-the-wall type Indian places I enjoyed in SF so if you’re willing to forgo the fancy silverware and table cloths, I think you’ll be happy. The only thing that’s really missing is fresh-baked naan which I believe is key to any good Indian restaurant. I do know that they currently don’t have plans to do a lunch buffet so don’t get too hopeful there. Otherwise I can fairly say that Cilantro Indian is a deliciously, spicy casual meal that warrants making an effort to eat at. So welcome back, Cilantro! We certainly missed you…

Thai food is one of those cuisines that sort of intimidates me as a home cook. Lots of interesting ingredients, preparation and flavors mean I typically only eat it when dining out. And as a Thai food lover, Thai Villa over in Cary was one of the first recommended spots I heard about in 2007. Located in a slightly run down plaza between 440 and Buck Jones Road, you may not notice this Cary classic even if you shop at Grand Asia Market a lot. It’s been here forever which is both good and bad as you’ll see.

Dining room of Thai Villa in Cary- NC Triangle Dining

From the front, Thai Villa’s got an inconspicuous entry way that leads into a casual dining room. Basic booths and four tops, a bit aged with worn carpeting, the place could use a sprucing up! But no big deal, I normally like my Asian food grungy which means you’ll typically end up with good eats at a bargain basement price. I’ve typically done lunch here and Thai Villa has your usual assortment of Thai apps, noodle dishes, curries and rice dishes. We go with an order of spring rolls and I get my usual, the chicken pad kee mao which they call Thai Villa noodles. I love the spiciness and flavors in pad kee mao, it’s one of those items that I could probably never re-create at home.

Service at Thai Villa is fast which is a good thing because this place is popular for lunch. We get a small plate of four rolls with dipping sauce which is nicely fried but your run of the mill rolls. My plate of Thai Villa noodles comes out and it’s a generous portion with plenty of chicken slices, green peppers, onions and more, yum! This dish can be a bit tricky and when it’s done well, you end up with soft but firm rice noodles that have been stir-fried with the ingredients to blend the flavors. And Thai Villa does do a nice job with the flavors and heat, their noodles are definitely spicy and pungent. Where it goes off a bit is that the noodles are a bit over-cooked and slightly mushy. You end up with a clump of pad kee mao which is still edible but not quite perfecto! Decent job, though..

Basil rolls at Thai Villa in Cary- NC Triangle Dining

Still, Thai Villa is worth a visit for its spicy fare because there isn’t a ton of Thai eats in Cary. The next closest place is Tom Yum Thai up at Cary Town Center from what I know. Don’t expect fine-dining, just solid, spicy Thai cuisine in a dated dining room and you’ll be fine for a visit here! This Cary is still doing a good job with authentic Thai food so come on out for a visit!

Over in Cary Town Plaza is a quiet little Thai restaurant called, Tom Yum Thai. I had been here years ago when it opened and thought it was decent but it literally took over five years before I came back for a re-visit! Cary Town Center is just not a spot I get to that frequently but I’m glad I did get back to try Tom Yum Thai again. From the outside the restaurant looks pretty humble. Most likely a conversion of a fast-food restaurant, the drab exterior opens up to a large, high-ceiling dining room full of dark woods and pendant lighting, quite nice! We grab a table in the corner, there’s plenty of sunlight to keep the place bright for lunch time. Tom Yum Thai does a bunch of lunch specials for $8 which includes drink, soup or salad and entree.

The table starts with some Thai spring rolls: six diagonally cut pieces with some sauce. They’re decent vegetarian rolls, well-fried but sort of bland including the sauce. For the price ($3.95) it’s a decent app but just doesn’t pop with much flavor which is what I usually associate with Thai food. My colleague’s crispy rice cake with chicken looks a lot more interesting but don’t want to fill up before my entree. The chicken soup is fine, just some clear broth with some light noodles and chicken. And of course I go with the Thai spicy noodles with chicken for my main, Tom Yum Thai’s equivalent of pad kee mao. It’s a nice portion with plenty of rice noodle, chicken and adds some tomato, mushrooms and onion. Spicing at hot is really medium to me, I usually order in the middle for hotness. The noodles are well-cooked with some suppleness but the dish is lacking basil. I spy a piece or two but it can really use some more. The additional veggies make for a nice touch but this dish just seems to be lacking a bit of flavor.

Service at Tom Yum Thai is solid and efficient for lunch time. They’re busy but not super-busy so they did a nice job keeping glasses filled. In the end, Tom Yum Thai is a decent spot for Thai eats but very much in the middle. Good portions, decent flavor for lower prices which is perfect for lots of people. But my instincts are that they’ve toned things down a bit for a suburban crowd. Still I’d come back again because there isn’t a lot of decent Thai food in this neck of the woods outside of Thai Villa. In the end, I guess waiting five years wasn’t that big a deal but hopefully it won’t be that long before my next visit!

When you’re looking for a taste of something a bit more exotic, flavorful and spicy, Thai food always comes to mind for me! Curries, noodles, seafood and more, Thai cuisine covers a wide and delicious variety of flavors and is often punctuated with extremes of sweet, sour, spicy and hot. If you’re up for some of the best Thai food in the Triangle, I do have two favorites that are head and shoulders above the rest- Thaiphoon Bistro in S. Glenwood and Sawasdee Thai just past Crabtree Valley Mall. Both dish up exquisite and delicious Thai eats but in two very different types of ambiance.

Roti canai at Thaiphoon in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Thaiphoon Bistro is an easy choice if you live in downtown Raleigh. With two entrances on Glenwood Ave and North Street, I prefer North which features a koi pond, outdoor patio and opens up into the main dining room! The simple white decor is a change from their orange days and the small bar at Thaiphoon shows off a nice display of liquors. Modern and simple is the best way to describe the ambiance here, you can do a date or dinner party here and feel equally comfortable.

Green curry at Thaiphoon in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

I’ve eaten at Thaiphoon probably 10 or 15 times and for some reason never reviewed it. The menu has all your Thai favorites but for my most recent visit, I noticed a couple of newer items including a roti canai so yeah, I’m ordering it. Service at our table is sort of funny, my friend Susan wanted to customize the order and the Thaiphoon server was warning her not to do it and then asked her to promise not to send it back if she didn’t like it! But overall the service here is fine if not super warm.

Chicken pad kee mao at Thaiphoon in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

My roti canai starter was pretty solid: a well browned, pretty dense pancake with a thick curry sauce. If you haven’t had roti canai before you should definitely try Thaiphoon’s version. Typically you’ll find this app at Malaysian and Singaporean restaurants. Tear a piece of the pancake off dip into the tasty curry which also has some chicken and potato and you’ve got yourself a taste sensation! Messy but way delicious. My chicken pad kee mao is also decent and well-plated with some colorful hints. The portion size was a bit smaller than I’d expect and the spiciness, on the light side. But still a decent meal. Thaiphoon does a solid job all around and I always grapple with which place serves the best Thai but Thaiphoon is definitely in the top three for me!

Sign at Sawasdee-Glenwood, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Moving a bit further north to Sawasdee Glenwood, this restaurant location is in the front right corner of Pleasant Valley Promenade near the BP gas station. Sawasdee presents a more traditional Thai face with a more muted wood interior, wicker furniture and carvings. This is the second location for Sawasdee, the original up on Capital Boulevard is smaller and more casual but both serve good food. Located in a quiet corner of the Crabtree Valley Promenade, Sawasdee opens up to a large space of woods and bright colors. A small raised platform up front with some wicker seating, a side-bar along with 10 to 15 tables in the dining room. The space is open, up to date and comfortable. Light jazz is pumping out of speakers to keep the vibe mellow and chill.

Interior at Sawasdee-Glenwood, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

We’re celebrating a birthday so it’s time to eat big: Chicken larb, pad thai with shrimp, a red curry along with a catfish in chili-basil sauce get ordered up. The chicken larb starts us off and it’s a great app! White chicken morsels with red onion, lime and more, larb tingles the taste buds and dazzles the palate, nice job Sawasdee. Our fish comes out next and it’s two largish filets in a deep red chili sauce. It’s followed by the red curry with chicken and bamboo shoots along with a nice helping of pad thai with shrimp. The fish in chili sauce is solid but not super exciting, yet it still is tasty. The red curry is excellent with just enough heat, coconut milk and spicing to make it great on rice. The big winner for me is the pad thai with shrimp. Tender rice noodles, shrimp and tamarind flavor along with a pile of crushed peanuts.

One other bonus at Sawasdee, the wine prices are super reasonable! Everything is under $30 which is quite a deal for a restaurant. We go with some riesling to keep the heat and spices at bay. Service is efficient although we feel a bit rushed at the end of the meal since they’re cleaning up and closing the place down. But what can I say, but Sawasdee on Glenwood makes me happy. Definitely better than Tom Yum Thai, and I think better than Thaiphoon. There’s something about the execution and spicing here that makes me happy and makes it feel more Asian. So rock on Sawasdee and Thaiphoon! You both deliver tasty, delicious Thai food without much fuss, kup kun krup and bon appetit!

(Updated August 2016) A long time back I wrote about the deliciousness of authentic Szechuan Chinese and some of my favorite restaurants for that cuisine in the Triangle, It’s time to do a deeper dive into probably my Szechuan favorite, Super Wok. Located in a run-down shopping plaza off of Maynard and Chatham, this area is better know for low-brow Indian and Mexican eats. But wait, there’s more! Take the steps downstairs to the unassuming Super Wok if you enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine and the savory spiciness of Szechuan food. After having eaten here at least ten times I guarantee you, you’re in for a big surprise.

Inside, Super Wok is really basic decked out in the yellow and red of the Chinese flag. With only 15 or so tables, the place can get busy but service is super-fast here so no worries! Grab a seat, peruse the menu littered with typos and you’re know you’re about to eat something ethnic and real. Super Wok does some great “appertizers”. The traditional choice is the dan-dan noodles. Thin spaghetti mixed with minced pork and a light chili oil sauce. Spicy, savory and slurpy, it’s a delicious dish. I recently tried their spicy noodles with peanut butter which was ridiculously good. Same thin noodles coated with soy, sesame, chili oil and peanut butter. They’re served chilled so don’t be surprise when you bite in, perfect for a hot summer’s day. Super Wok also does some more traditional cold chicken and pan-fried dumplings, great stuff!

While the appetizers are really good here, the entrees are where it’s really at. Where to start? Understand that Szechuan food is normally spicy but you can work your way around the hotness. For main dishes, I adore lots of their dishes. The tri-pepper chicken is one favorite: stir-fried chicken pieces with jalapeno, chili peppers and chili pepper flakes. Spicy, savory and definitely a dish to wake up your taste buds. Their kung-pao chicken is the traditional style, more chicken without any breading stir-fried with blanched peanuts. Quite good but a step down from their usual fare. The twice-cooked pork is also decent but not for everybody given the thinly sliced, fatty pork belly. My favorites probably fall under the crispy fish fillets in spicy Szechuan sauce and the orange beef. While the traditional Szechuan favorite is spicy fish fillets in a clay pot, I think the fried fish filet is a better contrast of tastes. Sweet with a bit of vinegar sour, some crunch and the savory firm fish, this dish is a nice melange of flavors and textures. The orange beef is a more traditional rendition with slightly bitter orange peel and tender flank steak that’s stir-fried with a crunchy coating and sauce, delicious!

For veggies and a bit of green balance, the traditional dry-fried string beans are excellent. Fried until they get a bit wrinkly, the beans are full of flavor and bits of flavorful pork. The pea shoot tips with garlic are another great choice. Medium-weight greens in a flavorful but light, white sauce. Mapo tofu is another traditional side dish but I have yet to try it, sometime soon. And believe it or not, the rice even is pretty super here. My friends have commented they must use magic water to prepare it but I have no formal proof! Service at Super Wok is really good and fast. Dishes come out lickety-split and family style so don’t necessarily expect to get an ordered delivery of entrees, especially if you’re not sharing. Super Wok also has a solid lunch menu with more basic Chinese-American fare and Thai food but hell no, I’m not eating that stuff when I’m here! While their non-Szechuan offerings may be ok, I’d find it a waste of time to eat that food when they’ve got SO much to offer on the traditional menu. So yeah, Super Wok is pretty super in my book. Just don’t let the location or exterior fool you into thinking there can’t be anything good here. You really can’t beat this place for authentic Chinese food, bon appetit!